How Can They Ignore Prophecy?

I have 3 questions regard the Pastors / teachers who willfully ignore, and even reject Bible prophecy with a spirit of contempt. 1) On what authority do these pastors assume they only have to teach the scriptures they “approve of”? 2) What does the Bible indicate will happen to the pastors / teachers who do this? 3) Is Second Timothy 3:16 suggestive, or are we to take it literally? Thanks for your valuable insight as always!

A

I believe a great many pastors today are simply teaching what they’ve learned in seminary. If the seminaries don’t spend much time on prophecy (and most don’t) then the pastors they graduate won’t be prepared to teach it. So they avoid it. Add to that the fact that most churches today are earth-centered. Their focus is on increasing their membership, enlarging their buildings, and administering their programs. They see prophecy as being divisive and a diversion. (Notice how very few pastors who lead congregations are known for their views on the end times.)

James 3:1 warns that we who teach will be judged more strictly. Since pastors who are saved cannot lose their salvation, this judgment must be related to their rewards. Those who fail to properly inform their followers by deciding which parts of the Bible they’ll teach risk suffering the loss of rewards at the Bema Seat Judgment.

I believe 2 Timothy 3:16 is meant to be taken literally. It tells us all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.

About Grace thru Faith

Jack Kelley published over 9,000 Bible Study resources here from 1999, until the Lord called him home in the fall of 2015. His teachings made the Bible clear and easy to understand, and impacted millions of lives. He is the author of all the teachings here, and all materials are available free of charge! His wife Samantha maintains this site as well as their missionary outreaches.